2017 Project Updates

This project was awarded to a contractor in January 2017. Vegetation clearing is expected to begin in late February 2017, lasting approximately two weeks. Grading and staking activities are expected for May or June as scheduling allows. Canoe access point improvements will complete this portion of the project. All work is expected to be complete by late summer 2017. Clickherefor a copy of the notification sent to residents near the project area.

Phase 3B2 – Riviera Club Earthen Levee:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded the project to the contractor. Work will begin in February 2017, starting with limited vegetation clearing. Riviera Club representatives are regularly involved in the coordination meetings related to constructing this phase of the levee. Construction is expected to be complete in 2018.

Phase 3B3 – Westfield Boulevard:

View the fact sheet here. In February 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Indiana State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation signed a Memorandum of Agreement to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The MOA has informed the design of Phase 3B3, recognizing that it will affect both Holcomb Gardens and the Indianapolis Central Canal, both of which are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The MOA specifies how the project will minimize or mitigate its effect on the historic area. Construction of the project will avoid or minimize the destruction of mature trees along the project, and grasses will be planted on both sides of the floodwall following its construction. Pedestrian connectivity and accessibility will be maintained along the levee by the construction of both a series of pedestrian openings along the length of the wall; and a multi-use path, constructed along Westfield Boulevard between Butler University’s Holcomb Gardens and the pedestrian bridge on Illinois Street. The visual impact of the northernmost portion of the floodwall will be minimized through reducing the height of the wall, either by the use of temporary panels that could be installed during flood events, or by a passive floodwall system which could be stowed underground. The floodwall will also display a pattern and color scheme appropriate to the surrounding natural environment, so as to limit its visual impact.

Continued Coordination with the Town of Rocky Ripple:

In February 2017, the City of Indianapolis announced that it would commit up to $10M over 5 years to local flood damage reduction opportunities, specifically for the protection of the Town of Rocky Ripple and Butler University. This project would be separate from, but in coordination with the Indianapolis North Flood Damage Reduction Project. The City hopes that this local funding might be used to leverage state funding opportunities for a local flood damage reduction project.

AECOM Phase 3B-3 Alignment Study: Rocky Ripple Area

In February 2017, the City of Indianapolis published a study prepared by AECOM regarding the technical basis for the selection of the Westfield Boulevard alignment for Phase 3B-3. The study includes an assessment of the range of options related to flood protection for the Town of Rocky Ripple. The study is available here.

Plus some 2016 Project updates …

Phase 3A and 3C – Vegetation Management

In August 2016, an agreement was reached between the City of Indianapolis DPW, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of the White River defining the conditions of a permit allowing vegetation management activities to be carried out in Phases 3A and 3C. Improvements will allow access for maintenance and inspection, prevent animals and plants from destabilizing the levee foundation. The project will include some tree and root clearing, the regrading of the levee slope, the removal of asphalt rubble and the placement of limestone riprap where erosion might otherwise occur. This work is required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to certify the project, allowing FEMA to accredit the entire Indianapolis North Flood Damage Reduction project. In addition, improvements are planned for the canoe access point west of the Monon pedestrian bridge, and new canoe access point is planned just south of Kessler Boulevard.

Phase 3B2 Riviera Club Earthen Levee:

In January 2016, the City made a property acquisition offer to the Riviera Club for the land required to construct Phase 3B2. An offer was formally accepted in June of 2016, and the US Army Corps of Engineers opened the project to contractor bids in September 2016. Work will begin in 2017.

Phase 3B3 – Westfield Boulevard

With the Westfield Boulevard alignment officially selected for this section of the levee, design conversations included elements required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identified, informed and invited local stakeholders to participate in the discussion and formulation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to mitigate the visual and physical impacts of the proposed Phase 3B3 alignment. The effort culminated in a draft MOA in November 2016.

Continued Coordination with the Town of Rocky Ripple:

In March 2016, the City met with the Town of Rocky Ripple Board members to further discuss local flood damage reduction opportunities. The conversation continued through the summer of 2016 as a Memorandum of Agreement was drafted to further define how the City and Town might accomplish their mutual goals. In late August, the MOA was signed by representatives of Indy DPW and the Town of Rocky Ripple, solidifying a relationship of continued coordination on matters related to water quality, flood protection, erosion control and stormwater management. The City and Town agreed to coordinate on public outreach; planning improvements; obtaining easements, permits and rights of entry; and the completion of activities as a part of the Marion County Stormwater Management District. In the fall of 2016, with the approval of the Town of Rocky Ripple, the City began limited vegetation management work on the public land on the east bank of the West Fork of the White River. The City worked to clear hazardous brush and other vegetation determined to be threatening to the stability of the east river bank. The City looks to continue this and other Town-coordinated activities in 2017.